On Monday, October 11th, MassDEP collected water samples from both East and West Monponsett Ponds. The samples were analyzed by MassDEP on October 12th. The East Monponsett sample collected at the Rt 36 boat ramp in Halifax showed a cyanobacteria level of 950 cells/ml. The West Monponsett Pond samples showed cyanobacteria levels of 1,866,000 cells/ml at the 4th Avenue beach, 2,268,000 cells/ml at the state boat ramp, and 1,668,000 cells/ml at Ocean Ave beach. The West Monponsett Pond levels are above the MDPH guideline level of 70,000 cells/ml.

MDPH recommends that the current advisory remain in place. MassDEP plans on collecting samples again next week. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Pond levels are lower than normal because Halifax has received very little rain during June (about 1 inch), July (about 1.5 inches), August (again, another 1.5 inches) and September (less than 1 inch as of September 26). According to the United State Drought Monitor, Halifax is located in the region marked "Extreme Drought". The low level of the Pond is not due to the Brockton Water Department diverting water during these three months as they have not diverted during these three months.